Theatre N16 14th – 17th December. Reviewed by Claire Roderick
This is a little gem of a show, with some fantastic ideas and a lot of love for the films.
The show begins with parenting and life tips from a slacker Star Wars fan to a new father who has made a Deathstar crib for his baby – you just screw the top off and pop it in!
The host, Toby Wan Kenobi then introduces each piece, in between telling some god-awful Star Wars jokes and making blue milk for an unfortunate audience member.
The next piece investigates the faces behind the stormtroopers’ masks, and has two discussing the staff canteen and their indignation that the rebels have attacked during lunch. They then begin imagining their own backstory, as the writers of the film were too selfish to flesh them out, in a sweet exchange with a very funny ending.
Jar Jar Binks’ first day as a galactic senator is reimagined. Everything will be fine and he’ll earn everyone’s respect, if he can just get out of the toilet. We hear his internal dialogue, which is coherent and funny, and his horror when he pratfalls and says one of those annoying “Mesa whoopsie” lines. Whether lusting after the female wookie in the next cubicle or smoking a death stick, this Jar Jar is much more fun than the original – perhaps they could add some of these lines to the film to ease our pain?
A riff on Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead, with two imperial guards opening cans of special brew after a pivotal battle is another gem – in between discussing the old man and black mask they chat about their contracts and pay, and think about a career change – maybe a job that requires more speaking?
The final piece is perhaps the most poignant of the night, with two men waiting excitedly, in full costume, for the new Star Wars film to begin. One begins to question the direction of his life, and whether obsessing about films, the collection of memorabilia and attendance of conventions is the way to find a partner and have a fulfilling life – bewildering his friend who cannot see what is wrong with his life. A very downbeat ending to the evening, but very fitting.
The writers, Steve Robertson and John Hickman, Andrew Maddock, James C Ferguson, Victoria Taylor Roberts and Phillip Lawrence have all created fantastic pieces, with lots of laughs and tenderness for the characters, some of whom were neglected in the cinema, and the fans.
Even if you haven’t seen the films, you’ll enjoy this show, and if you are already a fan – you will love it.